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Experience the archaeological highlights and the cultural treasures of the Andean highlands, then uncover the secrets of the mysterious Nazca Lines and Peru's desert coast on this incredible 3-week adventure. Embrace Incan culture's past and present in Cusco and get a taste of Bolivian culture in La Paz. Travel by boat on Lake Titicaca and trek to the stunning ruins of Machu Picchu. As the Inca Trail’s largest operator, we run our own treks, which ensures quality food, service, and equipment. Join us for an immersive experience that few travellers get to know.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Lima

Arrive at any time.

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Day 2: Lima/Paracas

Enjoy a free morning in Lima before travelling by bus to Paracas.Take the morning to explore more of Lima before journeying down the coast to Paracas. Walk the town's lively peatonal (pedestrian avenue) and find a café to sample some Peruvian food such as ceviche or papa a la huancaina (potatoes with a chili cheese sauce).

Try your first Pisco Sour cocktail while staying in Paracas, the neighbouring town of Pisco.

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Day 3: Paracas/Nazca

Opt to visit the Ballestas Islands, an excellent chance to view a lively sea lion colony, pelicans, penguins, and other varieties of bird life, before travelling to Nazca. En route, stop at a winery and at the oasis of Huacachina.Catch a bus south to Nazca. On the way, pass by the pleasant colonial town of Ica.

Ica enjoys a dry, sunny climate year round and is known for its huge sand dunes. Located near the oasis of Huacachina, the dunes are perfect subjects for photographs and for a favourite local past time: sandboarding. Apart from the dunes, Ica is famous for its wines, and there are several wineries and distilleries in the area.

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Day 4: Nazca/Arequipa

Take a guided tour of the Nazca desert cemetery and potter's studio. Opt for a flight over the Nazca Lines before the overnight bus to Arequipa.Travel south to one of the world's greatest archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines. The lines consist of patterns and pictures etched in the ground, crisscrossing a wide area of flat desert. It's difficult to make out the lines from the ground. The best view is from a light aircraft, which can easily be arranged.

Remains of the Nazca culture are still visible during the included tour of the ancient Pre-Inca desert cemetery site of Chauchilla, with 1500-year-old mummies, bones, and pottery on the desert floor. The tour also includes a visit to an artisan's workshop, where modern masters create Nazca style pottery.

Later, board a night bus to Arequipa.

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Day 5: Arequipa

Enjoy a free day in Arequipa, the "white city". Opt for a city tour or visit to the Santa Catalina Monastery.Interested in history and architecture? Opt to visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, offering a brief respite from the outside world and a unique view into a bygone way of life.

For spicy food lovers, checking out one of the “Picanterías” is a must. Arequipa holds a variety of regional food — alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups, and spicy sauces, waiting for you to dig in.

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Day 6: Arequipa/Colca Canyon

Travel to Chivay, a village near Colca Canyon, for an optional dip in the thermal baths. Continue on to nearby Colca Canyon for the day.Travel a rough, rutted road through high plains flanked by extensive Inca and pre-Inca terracing that goes on for kilometres, en route to the Colca Canyon — the deepest canyon in the world. Stop at villages and miradors (scenic lookouts), searching for the famous symbol of Peru, the condor.

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Day 7: Colca Canyon/Arequipa

Enjoy time at the canyon in the early morning before heading back to Arequipa for the night.Start early to catch the condors in flight. Travel from Chivay to the condor viewpoint to admire these magnificent birds. On the way back, stop by some local villages and viewpoints to see ancient terraces and different sections of Colca Canyon. Return to Arequipa in the afternoon for one final night in the 'white city'.

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Day 8: Arequipa/Cusco

Fly to Cusco. Choose to pre-book an optional Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour or to explore the city's markets, museums, and plazas.Take the short flight to Cusco for an afternoon wandering this fascinating city.

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Day 9: Cusco/Ollantaytambo

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa community restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them.

Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa community restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.

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Day 10: Ollantaytambo/Cusco

Return to the Sacred Valley with your CEO to explore the sites of the Maras Salt Mines and the ancient Incan agricultural terraces of Moray. Continue on a scenic drive through small villages and stunning views of the Andean countryside. Stop for a picnic lunch at Piuray Lagoon and opt to explore by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Return to Cusco for the evening. Leave the hikers to start their trek and head out to explore Moray and Maras ancient Incan ruins. Enjoy a scenic drive through Andean farmland on the way to Piuray Lagoon.

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Day 11: Cusco

Enjoy a free day to explore the city or take advantage of the many optional activities available.

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Day 12: Cusco/Aguas Calientes

Travel by van to Ollantaytambo to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes.

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Day 13: Machu Picchu/Cusco

Enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Opt to visit the Inca Bridge before returning to Cusco in the evening.Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with the guide. Enjoy a guided visit of the ruins followed by free time to explore. When ready, head back down by bus to Aguas Calientes to meet up with the rest of the group and take a train back to Cusco.

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Day 14: Cusco

Enjoy free time to explore Cusco or relax. Active options include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Nature lovers can book an optional adventure to go to the Amazon Jungle for a 3-day/2-night excursion.Free days to relax, explore, and shop in Cusco, or discover its surroundings on any of the many optional excursions.

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Day 15: Cusco

Enjoy free time to explore Cusco or relax. Active options include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Nature lovers can book an optional adventure to go to the Amazon Jungle for a 3-day/2-night excursion.Free days to relax, explore, and shop in Cusco, or discover its surroundings on any of the many optional excursions.

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Day 16: Cusco

Enjoy free time to explore Cusco or relax. Active options include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Nature lovers can book an optional adventure to go to the Amazon Jungle for a 3-day/2-night excursion.Free days to relax, explore, and shop in Cusco, or discover its surroundings on any of the many optional excursions.

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Day 17: Cusco/Puno

Travel day by bus from Cusco to Puno. Spend some time on arrival wandering the small city.Today, travel through the high Altiplano region from Cusco to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Titicaca is the largest lake in the world above 3800m, and the views from its Islands are stunning. The trip takes the better part of the day, with stark, beautiful scenery en route.

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Day 18: Puno/Lago Titicaca

Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca with a homestay in a small village. Head out by boat across Lake Titicaca. Visit the community on the Taquile Islands and stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a lunch with spectacular views.

After, cruise to another village for an overnight homestay on the shores of the lake (the homestay location can vary based on community availability). This experience provides an opportunity to learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and to participate in local traditions. Eat with the family, learn some Quecha and Spanish language skills, try on traditional costumes, and help out with daily chores around the village.

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Day 19: Lago Titicaca/Puno

Visit the floating islands of Uros before returning to Puno. Opt to visit the Sillustani burial site.Leave the homestay families late morning, and visit the Uros Islands on the way back to Puno. A popular optional activity in Puno is a visit to the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site only a short drive away.

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Day 20: Puno/La Paz

Travel by bus and cross the border into Bolivia, arriving in La Paz.Enjoy a full-day drive around the lake and through the Altiplano to La Paz. Bolivia is filled with spectacular views of the countryside. La Paz sits nearly 4000m (13,120ft) above sea level, so be prepared for cool evenings and mornings.

G Adventures-supported handmade biodegradable soap products for use on the Inca Trail

Machu Picchu guided tour

Floating islands of Uros visit

Lake Titicaca guided tour and homestay

La Paz stay

Internal flight

All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

Hotels (18 nts), overnight bus (1 nt), homestay (1 nt)

18 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Public bus, plane, train, boat, hiking

Group Leader

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout

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Tour Highlights:

Spot condors at Colca Canyon

Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Experience local life at a homestay on Lake Titicaca

Explore the world's highest capital city

Reviews (10)

Doug F Posted on:

The trip was awesome. We had a fun and knowledgeable tour leader and the other members of the group were all really cool people. Peru was an amazing country and the tour enabled us to see the best parts.

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Herlinde D Posted on:

Inca Heartland tour was just great! The tour really shows the highlights of Peru in all its diversity. It's really amazing what treasures this country contains.

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Kathleen K Posted on:

Loved the trip! Had an awesome time despite a bit of belly agony which I expected at some point. Highlights definitely were the Inca Trail, Cusco and the company! Recommend it!

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Kelly S Posted on:

I had a wonderful adventure on my tour. I felt that the trip was fast paced and I was able to see much of the country! I loved my experience!

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Jill L Posted on:

The Inca Heartland tour was a great 3 week journey into Peru! We visited all of the highlights of Peru, got a taste of the wonders of the Incan empire, and enjoyed the satisfaction of viewing the sunrise over Machu Picchu after a 4 day hike!

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Jennifer T Posted on:

I enjoyed the tour very much, especially getting to know the other travellers and tour leader.

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Colleen O Posted on:

The tour was well organised, included a varied itinerary and provided a great introduction to a fascinating country.

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Derek Gerald B Posted on:

The highlight was hiking the Inca Trail and arriving at Machu Picchu. An ambition fulfilled! Being led by Roberto, our local guide for the Trail, was a privilege.

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Lars J Posted on:

the whole trip was fantastic, coz it is a fantastic country!!!!!! and your leader was more a friend than a tour leader. big thanks

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Amanda & James M Posted on:

Just wanted to say a BIG Thank you to our Tour Guide for the Inca Heartland tour. She was excellent, very knowledgeable and friendly. You are very lucky to have such a great local tour guide who definitely knows her stuff and is very well organised. Everything run to plan with no problems and everyone had a great time. Please pass on our thanks.

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